by CJ Clark, Featured Contributor
REMEMBER TACKLEBERRY from the old Police Academy movies…the SWAT/Special Ops wannabe who joined the local police force? Even as an Academy student, he thought he was empowered to save the world. Everything he did used more firepower, and more force than the situation called for. What a caricature, and how we laughed.
It is interesting that I have thought about Tackleberry so frequently lately, seeing so many police actions and decisions highlighted in the media. Ever the optimist, I want to think that our police force has positive intent; that they are doing their best, and using good judgment in order to protect and serve. I do believe that those who put their lives on the line do so with a purpose and mission of service.
There are too many lately that have popped up that challenge that paradigm, and I worry that we have a growing challenge here in our own country.
Clearly, the events in Ferguson MO have us thinking about this, and it’s probably appropriate that we do so. Are we arming our local police with military weaponry because it is necessary to protect and defend? Or is Tackleberry getting hold of the latest toys to play with.
Assault weapons, bayonets, armored tanks? In Mayberry USA? Really? Members of Congress and the ACLU are actively challenging the flood of excess military equipment to local police forces, and the dialogue continues. What seemed a good idea after 911, to keep our American streets safe may have unintended consequences.
Besides the issue of even having these weapons is whether or not the police force has good judgment as to their use. Ferguson MO: we are still waiting for the results of the Michael Brown investigation, meanwhile another young black man was killed by police. In the initial media coverage, journalists were arguing sides even before any evidence was collected. What a way to get people riled up.
The end result in the Michael Brown investigation could run the gamut from the young man threatening the officer, to the officer making a very bad judgment call. Add that to other police shootings that have taken place in MO and elsewhere, and you’re going to spook the police into either firing out of fear of being shot, or not firing out of fear of being tried in the press. Either end result threatens all of our safety.
Okay, so let’s shift from poor judgment that results in oppression to bad judgment that ignores illegal behavior because the alleged perpetrator is a hometown celebrity. This is troubling from a different perspective.
Tallahassee Florida, home of Florida State University and the top ranked college football team, has been accused of sweeping allegations of law breaking under the rug for players.
Last January, police filed an incident report away after a 911 call and police response to a Seminole player beating his wife and child. The officer was an FSU fan. Last year, their Heisman trophy winner wiggled out of a rape charge with the help of the police force.
The New York Times investigated court records in Tallahassee, to find that ignoring the illegal actions of Seminole football players happens fairly regularly, given that FSU football brings millions into the local economy. Their expose is worth a read.
So what does this all mean…I’m not certain but the idea of situational law enforcement where the police selectively enforce the law depending on the who and what you are really troubles me. It just feels like we’ve lost our way, lost our honor and lost our dignity. At some point, those in positions of trust have to live up to that trust. When did it become okay to do things for power, money and greed? Oh I supposed it’s always been that way. But should it? Are we not better than that?